Critical-15

Thlahphapa

Thlahphapa are the good spirits who never harm human beings but rather help in their difficulties. Although their abode was not definitely stated, they were supposed to be in the high places and mountains. Thlahphapa are believed to be inferior to Khazohpa and they are concerned with the affairs of human beings. They are believed to be the creators of all humanity and the spirit of kindness and greatness was attributed to them. In a marriage ceremony, the chant uttered by the priest was addressed to the thlahphapa asking for long life for the newly married couples, many children and that they remain together till old age. Thlahphapa is the famous spirit of kindness and magnanimity who could bring comfort to humanity on earth. Thlahphapa is the keeper and dispenser of the blessing for those who ask for it. Thlahphapa is the father of nature. He gives blessings, and his name is invoked for blessings, comfort and peace every time food is taken in the same way as grace is said before meal.

1.1.Guardian spirit

Another important spirit to whom sacrifice was made at one stage or other in life was guardian spirit, who can be described as a guardian angel of an individual. Every living creature was also supposed to have ‘thla’ (soul) and as long as the soul remain in the body the person was a living being. If a person underwent a frightening experience, such as being mauled by wild animals or being captured by an enemy, the soul was similarly frightened and to restore proper and normal relations with the guardian, a sacrifice must be made. Until this was done, the soul would not be free from fright and the body restored to normal living. When the experience was really terrifying, a sacrifice of a goat was made; the tail was cut off and worn round the neck with a string. To break off this string was very serious for the Maras, perhaps as serious as breaking the sacred tread for Hindus.

1.2.Malevolent spirits

Apart from good spirits as discussed above, the Maras strongly believed in the existence of numerous malignant evil spirits who were believed to cause human misery, suffering and misfortunes. Numerous spirits were mentioned in accordance with their abodes. For instance, if a certain spirit is believed to be possessed by a tree, it is called ‘tree spirit’ meaning the malignant spirit of a tree. Some of the evil spirits can be found below:

Lyurahri

Lyurahri means ‘the malignant spirit of the forest or jungle’ and they existed everywhere in the forest, but were believed to be in certain places such as a spring, banyan tree, cliff and water. They often haunted people and appeared in various disguises.

Thlachhie

This was an evil spirit which is equivalent to a ghost in English. It was believed that they were wandering about usually at night causing mischief such as disturbing people, animals and chicken in their sleep. Thlachhie was also said to be a fore-runner of death who would hover round the house where death was approaching and who could sometimes make strange, unusual noises.

Ahri

Maras believed that ahri spirits were in close touch with evil eyes on people’s food and drink, and thus conceived ahri as ‘evil eyes’. As these spirits bewitched food and drink, the Maras therefore offered a portion of food to evil spirits before eating and drinking. If someone was believed to be possessed by ahri, killing that person was almost legal. The Maras believed that ahri spirit is contagious and hereditary, and takes the form of passing from the hostess to another person, who speaks with the voice of the original hostess. Mostly women were found to be possessed by these spirits. If someone was suspected to be such, they were usually burnt alive or drowned for it was believed that contagious malignant spirits could be extinguished only in these ways.